U.S. patent number 4,359,947 [Application Number 06/129,112] was granted by the patent office on 1982-11-23 for shelving assembly.
Invention is credited to Howard J. Marschak.
United States Patent |
4,359,947 |
Marschak |
November 23, 1982 |
Shelving assembly
Abstract
A shelving assembly particularly useful for displaying or
storing merchandise in commercial establishments in any of several
ways tailored to meet the needs of that establishment. The
components are capable of being combined to produce an assembly
with any selected number of inclined shelves where automatic
forward gravity feed of the articles to be supported upon said
shelves is desired. Alternatively, the same components may be
assembled to provide a unit having any desired number of horizontal
shelves. Again, depending on the needs of the user, such shelves
may be oriented so that protective rims extend about their
horizontal top surfaces, or they may be oriented so that no such
rims are provided. Dividers may be attached to the shelves to
segregate the articles to be supported thereon and, especially when
such shelves are to be assembled in inclined positions, stop
members may be affixed to the shelves adjacent their forward edges
to retain articles sliding forwardly upon such shelves under the
influence of gravity.
Inventors: |
Marschak; Howard J. (Evanston,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
22438506 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/129,112 |
Filed: |
March 10, 1980 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/1;
211/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
57/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
57/00 (20060101); A47B 57/04 (20060101); A47F
005/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;108/111,1,6,4,149,151,60,61,16 ;211/188,190,49D,134,186 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Zugel; Francis K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tilton, Fallon, Lungmus
Claims
I claim:
1. A shelving assembly comprising a plurality of inclined parallel
rectangular metal shelves arranged in vertically-shaped series;
each shelf having a support panel and having side edges turned
upwardly and then inwardly to define a pair of inturned side
flanges parallel with and spaced above said panel; each shelf also
having a pair of vertically-aligned openings in said panel and
flanges, respectively, adjacent each corner of the rectangular
shelf; and a plurality of tubular post segments spacing said
shelves adjacent said corners and securing the same together to
form said assembly; each tubular post segment having a lower body
section and an upper generally cylindrical neck section of reduced
cross sectional dimensions; said neck section of each post segment
being dimensioned to extend upwardly through a pair of said
vertically-aligned openings adjacent the corner of a shelf and
terminating in an upper end portion adapted to be received in the
body section of the next post segment directly thereabove; said
aligned openings of each pair being formed in said panel and side
flanges as generally circular openings slightly larger than the
outside diameter of said neck sections and substantially smaller
than that of said body sections of said post segments.
2. A shelving assembly comprising a plurality of inclined parallel
rectangular metal shelves arranged in vertically-spaced series;
each shelf having a support panel and having side edges turned
upwardly and then inwardly to define a pair of inturned side
flanges parallel with and spaced above said panel; each shelf also
having a pair of vertically-aligned openings in said panel and
flanges, respectively, adjacent each corner of the rectangular
shelf; and a plurality of tubular post segments spacing said
shelves adjacent said corners and securing the same together to
form said assembly; each tubular post segment having a lower body
section and an upper neck section of reduced cross sectional
dimensions; said neck section of each post segment being
dimensioned to extend upwardly through a pair of said
vertically-aligned openings adjacent the corner of a shelf and
terminating in an upper end portion adapted to be received in the
body section of the next post segment directly thereabove, said
aligned openings of each pair formed in said panel and side flanges
being generally circular and slightly larger than the outside
diameter of said neck sections and substantially smaller than that
of said body sections of said post segments; and a secondary
opening of circular configuration formed in said side flange
adjacent each corner of each shelf; said secondary opening being
vertically aligned with the opening in said panel therebelow when
each said shelf is reoriented into a horizontal position; said
secondary opening being adapted to receive the upstanding neck
section of a post segment when such shelf is horizontally
oriented.
3. The assembly of claim 2 in which the diameter of said secondary
opening is the same as that of said openings formed in said
panel.
4. The assembly of claim 2 in which the first-mentioned opening of
each pair, as formed in said flanges, constitutes a primary
opening; each of said secondary openings merging with one of said
primary openings.
5. The assembly of claim 4 in which each secondary opening is
closed by a plug secured therein; said plug having an arcuate
indentation defining an arc of said primary opening.
6. The assembly of claim 5 in which said plug is selectively
removable from and insertable into said secondary opening when said
shelf and post segment are disconnected.
7. The assembly of claim 6 in which the neck section of each post
segment, when received in the aligned openings of said panel and
flange, locks said plug in place.
8. The assembly of claim 6 in which said plug is insertable into
and removable from said primary opening when said shelf and post
segment are disconnected; said arcuate indentation defining an arc
of said secondary opening, and said scondary opening being adapted
to receive the neck section of said post segment, when said shelf
is horizontally reoriented.
9. The assembly of claim 8 in which said neck section of each post
segment, when received in the aligned openings of said panel and
flange of a horizontally reoriented shelf, locks said plug in
place.
10. The assembly of claim 2 in which said shelves are reversible
when horizontally reoriented so that said side flanges face
downwardly.
11. The assembly of claim 8 in which each plug is removable from
and insertable into one of said primary and secondary openings
through the other of said primary and secondary openings only when
said shelf and post segment are disconnected.
12. The assembly of claim 11 in which said plug includes upper and
lower peripheral extensions adapted to engage top and bottom
surfaces of said panel when said plug is in place.
13. The assembly of claim 5 in which said plug is formed of
resilient material.
14. The assembly of claim 1 in which each of said shelves also
includes upstanding front and rear walls.
15. The assembly of claim 14 in which said front and rear walls of
at least one of said shelves has inwardly and downwardly turned
lips along their upper margins; said lips being spaced from the
inside surfaces of said front and rear walls to define depending
channels; and a pair of insert strips extending along said front
and rear walls and being retained within said channels by said
lips.
16. The assembly of claim 15 in which each insert strip has a lower
exposed portion thereof beneath the lip retaining the same; said
exposed lower portion being provided with a plurality of
horizontally-spaced recesses.
17. The assembly of claim 16 in which at least one shelf divider
extends between said front and rear walls and has end portions
received in opposing recesses of the respective insert strips.
18. The assembly of claim 17 in which said divider is formed of
spring wire and includes an elongated intermediate portion disposed
between said end portions; said end portions extending in planes
parallel with said front and rear walls and normal to the plane of
said panel.
19. The assembly of claim 18 in which said end portions have
laterally-projecting tips extending along the lines of merger
between said panel and said front and rear walls, respectively.
20. The assembly of claim 15 in which said panel of said one of
said shelves is provided adjacent the front corners thereof with a
pair of apertures; and a stop member having hook portions
projecting downwardly through said apertures for detachably
securing said stop member to said one shelf.
21. The assembly of claim 20 in which said stop member engages the
insert strip retained along said front wall for simultaneously
bracing said stop member and securing said insert strip in
place.
22. A shelving assembly comprising a plurality of inclined parallel
rectangular metal shelves arranged in vertically-spaced series;
each shelf having a support panel and having side edges turned
upwardly and then inwardly to define a pair of inturned side
flanges parallel with and spaced above said panel; each side flange
having first and second flange openings adjacent each shelf corner;
said panel having at each shelf corner a panel opening vertically
alignable with said first flange opening when said shelf is in an
inclined position and with said second flange opening when said
shelf is in a horizontal position; a plurality of vertical tubular
post segments adjacent the corners of said shelves for securing
said shelves together; each tubular post segment having a lower
body section and an upper neck section of reduced diameter; said
neck section of each post segment being dimensioned to extend
upwardly through a panel opening and then through one of said first
or second flange openings vertically aligned therewith, and
terminating in an upper end portion adapted to be received in the
body section of the next post segment directly thereabove.
23. The assembly of claim 22 in which said first and second flange
openings merge with each other.
24. The assembly of claim 22 or 23 in which said panel opening and
said first and second flange openings are all of the same
diameter.
25. The assembly of claim 23 in which a plug is disposed in one of
said first and second flange openings not vertically aligned with
said panel opening.
26. The assembly of claim 25 in which said plug has an arcuate
indentation receiving and engaging a portion of one of said post
segments.
27. The assembly of claim 22 in which said shelves are reversibly
mountable upon said post segments so that said neck section of each
segment extends upwardly through a selected one of said first and
second flange openings and then through the panel opening
vertically aligned with said selected flange opening.
28. The assembly of claim 23 in which a plug is detachably mounted
in each pair of merged first and second flange openings, said plug
having an opening extending therethrough and being capable of being
mounted in said pair of merged first and second flange openings in
a first position wherein the plug opening extends through said
first flange opening and a second position wherein said plug
opening extends through said second flange opening, said plug
opening being dimensioned for snugly receiving the neck section of
a post segment.
29. The assembly of claim 28 in which said plug is formed of
resilient polymeric material.
30. The assembly of claim 28 in which said pair of merged first and
second flange openings define an aperture of generally oval
configuration.
31. The assembly of claim 30 in which said plug is generally oval
in configuration.
32. The assembly of claim 31 in which said oval plug has a
perimetric groove adapted to receive the edge of said flange
defining said oval aperture, said plug also including a lower
portion having a beveled side wall adapted to be disposed between
said flange and the panel of said shelf.
33. A shelving assembly comprising a plurality of parallel
rectangular metal shelves arranged in vertically-spaced series;
each shelf having a support panel and having side edges turned
upwardly and then inwardly to define a pair of inturned side
flanges parallel with and spaced above said panel; each shelf also
having a pair of openings in said panel and flanges, respectively,
adjacent each corner of the rectangular shelf; a plurality of
tubular post segments spacing said shelves adjacent said corners
and securing the same together to form said assembly; each tubular
post segment having a lower body section and an upper neck section
of reduced cross sectional dimensions; and a plug removably mounted
in each of said flange openings; said plug having an opening
therethrough and being capable of being mounted in said flange
opening in a first position wherein the plug opening is vertically
aligned with a panel opening when the shelf is horizontal and a
second position wherein the plug opening is vertically aligned with
such panel opening when the shelf is inclined; said neck section of
each post segment being dimensioned to extend through said plug
opening and vertically-aligned panel opening in the corner of a
shelf and terminating in an upper end portion adapted to be
received in the body section of the next post segment directly
thereabove.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
Modular display units have been known in the past, and it has also
been well known to provide display racks which may be assembled to
provide any selected number of shelves. See, for example, U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,730,601, 3,507,399, 3,851,601, and 3,465,898. Display
assemblies have also been provided in which the shelves may be
mounted upon supporting structures in either horizontal or inclined
positions. See Pat. Nos. 3,915,097, 3,126,101, 3,120,199, and
3,841,237. However, despite the need for versatility and
adaptability in shelving construction, there remains a need for a
shelving assembly which is simple and relatively inexpensive in
construction, which allows the shelves to be arranged to whatever
height meets the user's needs, and which permits such shelves to be
oriented in either horizontal or inclined positions.
A main object of this invention therefore lies in providing an
assembly which meets all of such needs and which, in addition, may
be easily and quickly assembled or disassembled by a user. A
further object is to provide a shelving assembly which is
relatively sturdy when the components are combined in any selected
mode of assembly, and in which certain components are interlocked
against inadvertent detachment when the assembly is complete. A
still further object is to provide a shelving assembly in which the
same shelf units may be joined with post segments so that such
shelves are either horizontal or sloping and, in the latter case,
have either article-retaining rims or provide smooth un-rimed top
surfaces.
In brief, the shelving assembly includes a plurality of rectangular
metal shelves arranged in a vertically-spaced series. Each shelf is
composed of a planar support panel having side edges which are
turned upwardly and then inwardly to define a pair of side flanges
parallel with and spaced above the support surface. In addition,
the shelf has upstanding front and rear walls or flanges. In
referring to such flanges and side edges as being turned
"upwardly", it is to be understood that such terminology describes
the relationships as they exist when the shelves are oriented to
provide a perimetric retaining rim or border about each shelf; if
no such rim is desired, then the shelves are simply assembled in
inverted positions.
The planar support panel of each shelf is provided with a circular
opening adjacent each of its corners. Above each of such openings,
in the side flanges of the shelf, are two merged openings which may
be referred to as the first (or primary) opening and the second (or
secondary) opening. Each of the first and second openings is formed
in the flange as a circular opening and, depending on the selected
orientation of the shelf (either inclined or horizontal), either
the first or the second opening in such flange will be vertically
aligned with the opening in the main support panel of the shelf
directly therebelow.
Successive shelves are joined by tubular posts segments, each of
which has a lower cylindrical body section and an upper neck
section of reduced cross sectional dimensions. If the parts are to
be assembled with the shelves in inclined positions, then the neck
section of each post segment is inserted upwardly through a corner
opening in the support panel of a shelf and through the aligned
first or primary opening in the flange directly thereabove. The end
portion of the neck section protruding above the flange of the
shelf provides a mounting spindle adapted to be inserted and snugly
received within the body section of the next post segment in the
vertical series. In such manner, the post segments and shelves may
be stacked to produce an assembly having whatever number of shelves
is needed to suit the requirements or preferences of the user.
If horizontal orientation of the shelves is desired, then the neck
sections of the post segments are instead inserted upwardly through
the openings of the support panels and the second or secondary
openings of the flanges. Should the user desire to have the
supporting surfaces of the shelves be rimless or borderless, then
such shelves are simply inverted and the upstanding neck sections
of the post segments are inserted upwardly through the same
openings but in reverse order. Such shelf reversal is made possible
because the aligned openings of the support panel and side flanges
(either the first or second openings of the merged pair in such
flanges) are of the same diameter and are only slightly larger than
the outside diameter of the neck section.
Rigidity is achieved because of a number of factors. Plug elements
are inserted into the unused first or second openings of the side
flanges, each such plug element having an arcuate indentation which
is adapted to bear tightly against the outer surface of the neck
section of a post segment. In addition, the neck and body sections
of each post merge to define a tapered or rounded shoulder which
tends to wedge into the lowermost opening at the corner of each
shelf. Furthermore, the openings as formed in the support panel and
flange of each shelf are circular in outline; however, if the
shelves are to be inclined, the neck section of each post segment
extends through the aligned openings at an angle to produce tight
engagement between the neck section of the post segment and edge
portions defining the shelf openings.
Different plug constructions are disclosed. In addition, the
disclosure includes important features of the front and rear walls
of the shelves, the interrelationship between such walls and
slotted insert strips, and the cooperative relationship between
such slotted insert strips and removable divider elements as well
as detachable stop members.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the shelving assembly
will become apparent from the specification and drawings.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shelving assembly with the
shelves stacked in their inclined positions.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the
interrelationship between a shelf and the supporting post
segments.
FIG. 3 is a still further enlarged fragmentary perspective view of
a portion of the structure depicted in FIG. 2.
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the plug element removed from the
structure as depicted in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a post segment showing a bottom cap
which may be fitted into the open end of the lowermost segment and
also showing a top cap which may be fitted into the upper opening
of the uppermost post segment of a series.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing the
interrelationship between the front wall of a shelf, the slotted
insert strip retained by that front wall, and a wire stop member
secured to the shelf.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but with the wire stop member
omitted, showing the interfitting relationship between the front
wall of the shelf and the insert strip.
FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the relationship
between the vertical post segments and an inclined shelf.
FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 7 but showing
the relationship of parts when the shelf is oriented in horizontal
condition.
FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG.
8.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the
relationship of parts when a shelf is horizontally disposed with
the front and rear walls thereof facing upwardly.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly in which the shelves
are oriented in horizontal positions but with the front and rear
retaining walls projecting downwardly.
FIGS. 12-14 are fragmentary sectional views, with details somewhat
exaggerated, illustrating the relationships and deformations which
occur when the parts are assembled so that the shelves are oriented
in their inclined positions of FIGS. 1-3.
FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate an alternate plug construction and its
relationship with the side flange of a shelf in disassembled (FIG.
15) and assembled (FIG. 16) condition.
FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 17--17
of FIG. 16.
FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views depicting another plug
construction, such plug and side flange being shown disassembled in
FIG. 18 and assembled in FIG. 19.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 20--20 of
FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the numeral 10 generally designates a
shelving assembly having a plurality of inclined parallel
rectangular metal shelves 11 arranged in a vertically-spaced series
and secured in that arrangement by interconnected corner post
segments 12. The shelves are identical in construction, each shelf
having a planar support panel 13 and upwardly turned front and rear
walls 14 and 15. In addition, the side edges of each shelf are
turned upwardly and then inwardly to provide side flanges 16 which
are parallel with and spaced upwardly from the support panel
13.
Post segments 12 are identical except for the lowermost segments
12a and/or 12b which are of different lengths so that the assembly
will rest upon a supporting surface with the shelves 11 in the
inclined positions shown and with the post segments 12 in vertical
condition. Each segment 12 is tubular, has a circular outline when
viewed in section, and is distinguished by an elongated lower body
section 17 and a shorter upper neck section 18 (FIG. 1). A plastic
(or metal) cap or foot 19 may be inserted into the open lower ends
of the lowermost segments of a series, and similar caps 20 may be
fitted into the open tops of the uppermost segments.
As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the outside diameter of neck
section 18 is substantially smaller than that of body section 17.
Between the body and neck sections is a transition zone which takes
the form of a sloping or rounded shoulder portion 21.
The planar support panel 13 of each shelf is provided with circular
openings 22 adjacent the corners thereof. The openings are circlar
and are dimensioned to be only slightly larger than the outside
diameter of the neck portion 18 of each post segment. Each such
opening 22 is therefore substantially smaller than the outside
diameter of the body section 17 of each post segment.
Above each opening 22, the side flanges 16 of the shelves are
provided with merged circular openings 23 and 24, as illustrated
most clearly in FIG. 10. When the structure is assembled as
depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 7, with the shelves in inclined
positions, opening 23 may be regarded as the primary opening and
opening 24 as the secondary opening. With the shelves so inclined,
the primary opening 23 in the side flange 16 is vertically oriented
with respect to opening 22 directly therebelow in the support panel
13. The tubular neck section 18 of post segment 12 extends upwardly
through the aligned pair of openings 22 and 23 as shown in FIG. 3.
It will be noted that the upper end 18a of the neck section
continues well above flange 16 of the shelf. If that shelf happens
to be the top shelf of the series, then the open upper end of the
neck section may be capped (FIG. 3), whereas if the shelf is
further down in the series then the projecting upper end portion
18a of the neck section will be telescoped into the body section 17
of the post segment 12 directly thereabove (FIG. 7). The parts are
dimensioned so that the upper neck section of one segment fits
snugly within the scoket defined by the body section of the next
segment, thereby providing rigid segmented corner posts and a
wobble-free shelving assembly.
Prior to insertion of the neck sections of the post segments into
the openings of a shelf, the secondary opening 24 is closed by a
plug 25. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-14, the plug 25 takes the
form of a metal disc of a diameter larger than opening 24. A
plurality of tongues or tabs 25a radiate outwardly from points
circumscribed by the periphery of the disc and, as shown most
clearly in FIG. 3A, extend downwardly and then outwardly so that
the upper surfaces near the free ends of the tabs are spaced below
the undersurface of the remainder of the disc. When the disc is in
place, tabs 25a engage the underside of flange 16 about secondary
opening 24 while other peripheral portions of the disc engage the
top surface of flange 16. It is believed apparent that the disc or
plug 25 can be inserted or removed only when post segment 12 is not
connected to the shelf, since such insertion or removal of the plug
takes place from or in the direction of primary opening 23. When
the neck section 18 of a post segment extends upwardly through
opening 23 of the flange, a plug 25 fitted into secondary opening
24 is effectively locked in place.
Plug 25 has an arcuate indentation 26 which defines an arc of
circular opening 23 when the parts are assembled as shown in FIG.
3. The arcuate edge 26 should fit tightly against the outer surface
of neck section 18 to help hold the parts (i.e., shelf and post)
tightly together. To assist in inserting the plug into secondary
opening 24, and to facilitate rotating the plug so that arcuate
edge 26 aligns properly with the border of primary opening 23, the
disc-like plug may be provided with a cental slot 27 into which the
blade of a screwdriver or other suitable tool may be inserted.
FIGS. 12-14 illustrate the steps of assembling the parts, with
deformations in the shelf being depicted in exaggerated form in an
effort to show more clearly the stresses created as a result of the
tight interfit between each shelf and its corner post segments. In
the first step of assembling the parts (FIG. 12), the plug element
is first fitted into place in opening 24 and then the end of neck
section 18 of the post segment is urged upwardly through the lower
opening 22 in support panel 13. Thereafter, the shelf is tipped
with respect to the post segment so that the end of the post may be
inserted through opening 23 in flange 16 (FIG. 13). Since a close
sliding fit is provided between the neck section 18 of the post
segment and opening 22 in the panel during the initial insertion
step (FIG. 12), the tipping action brings opposite side edges of
opening 22 into more forceful engagement with the neck section 18.
Such forceful engagement may, as shown in exaggerated form in FIG.
13, cause slight deformation of portions of the edge defining
opening 22. Finally, the neck section is inserted through opening
23 until the shoulder 21 of the post segment 12 engages the
underside of panel 13 (FIG. 14). During the final step of
insertion, as the neck section is urged upwardly through opening
23, forceful engagement between the parts again takes place and
slight deformation of edge portions of opening 23, and particularly
of the pointed projections 28 between the merged openings, may take
place. The result is a tight frictional fit between the inserted
post segment 12 and the metal shelf 11.
The assembly may be constructed to provide any desired angle of
inclination for shelves 11, although in general such angle should
fall within the range of about 10 to 20 degrees from the
horizontal. The angular orientation of the shelves causes articles
stored thereon to slide forwardly where they are easily viewed and
readily accessible. To facilitate the gravity feed of articles
towards the front of each shelf, and to aid in organizing the
articles supported on each shelf, wire dividers 29 may be attached
to the shelves as indicated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 10.
Insert members or strips 30 are provided for mounting the shelf
dividers. As shown most clearly in FIGS. 2, 6, and 10, each insert
strip 30 is horizontally elongated and is provided with a series of
horizontally-spaced recesses or apertures 31. One insert strip
extends along front wall 14 and the other along rear wall 15, and
opposing recesses of the two strips may receive the
downwardly-extending end portions 29a of a wire divider 29 in the
manner represented in FIG. 10. The laterally-turned tip 29b at the
extreme ends of each divider, and the spring action of the
elongated intermediate portion 29c of such divider, acts to lock
the divider in the selected recesses.
The mounting of each insert strip is shown in FIG. 6. Both the
front and rear walls of each shelf have inwardly and downwardly
turned lips 33 which are spaced from the inside surfaces of such
walls to define downwardly-facing channels 34. An insert member is
secured in place by inserting its upper edge into the channel and
then shifting it into parallel relation with the front (or rear)
wall of the shelf (FIG. 6). The insert strip is removable only by a
reversal of such movements, and such reversal is prevented by the
spring dividers 29 which are fitted into place in the manner
already described.
In some cases it may be desirable to provide stop elements 35 along
the front walls of the shelves to prevent larger articles from
falling off of such shelves. Each stop element or member 35 is
formed of wire, has a horizontally elongated intermediate portion
35a and a pair of depending arms 35b terminating at their lower
ends in hook portions 36. As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the
hooks 36 extend downwardly through apertures 37 formed in the
support panel 13 of each shelf. The hook portions are so shaped,
and the apertures so located, that when the stop members 35 are in
place the depending arms 35b will be braced against the insert
strip 30 retained by front wall 14 or by the front wall itself
(should the insert member be omitted). The manner of attachment of
the stop member is indicated in broken lines in FIG. 5.
If the user desires an assembly with horizontal shelves rather than
inclined shelves, then plugs 25 are inserted into openings 23 of
flanges 16 and the neck sections of the post segments are inserted
through aligned openings 22 and 24, as indicated in FIGS. 8-10.
Those figures show the shelves arranged with the front and rear
walls thereof extending upwardly to help retain articles stored
thereon; however, if desired, the shelves may be inverted so that
the supporting surfaces of the shelves are smooth and free of such
retaining means (FIG. 11). It is particularly significant in that
connection that such reversal or inversion of the shelves is
possible because openings 22 and 24 in panel 13 and flange 16,
respectively, are of the same diameter.
FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a variation of the plug structure for
closing off the unused opening 23 or 24 in the side flange 16 of
each shelf. Plug 125 is formed integrally of a material such as
resilient plastic and is generally disc-shaped with an arcuate
indentation 126. A perimetric groove 127 has substantially the same
diameter as that of opening 23 (or 24), and the lower portion 128
of the plug is provided with a tapered side wall 129 to facilitate
insertion of the plug into the selected opening. A handle or tab
130 may be provided to facilitate such insertion.
While plug 125 performs the same functions following insertion as
plug 25, it may be inserted either before or after a post segment
has been joined to a shelf, unlike plug 25 which must be positioned
prior to attachment of the post segment. Such insertion of plug 125
is achieved simply by urging its tapered lower portion 129
downwardly into the selected opening 23 or 24, causing slight
deformation of the plug's lower portion until that portion has
cleared the opening and the parts are interlocked as depicted in
FIGS. 16 and 17.
FIGS. 18-20 illustrate another type of plug 225 which is similar to
plug 125 to the extent that they are both formed of a resilient or
yieldable material. A non-brittle polymeric material such as
polypropylene or some other polyolefin has been found effective,
but any of a variety of materials having similar properties may be
used. Plug 225 is adapted to be received in an elongated opening
240 formed in flange 16 in place of merged openings 23 and 24. The
opening 240 may be oblong or obround as shown and interlocks with
plug 225 in essentially the same manner as disclosed with regard to
plug 125. Specifically, plug 225 has a lower portion 228 with a
tapered or beveled side wall 229. Above lower portion 228 is a
perimetric groove 227 of the same size as opening 240. At one end
of the oblong plug is a circular opening 241, and the plug may be
secured within flange opening 240 in either of two positions; that
is, in the position depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19, with opening 241
away from the viewer, or in a 180 degree reversed position with
opening 241 nearer the viewer. In one case, opening 241,
dimensioned to firmly but slidably receive the neck section of a
post segment, will be disposed in vertical alignment with lower
opening 22 in the shelf when the shelf is inclined; in the other
position, opening 241 will be vertically aligned with opening 22
when the shelf is in a horizontal position.
While in the foregoing I have disclosed embodiments of the
invention in considerable detail for purposes of illustration, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that many of these
details may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention.
* * * * *